HID and LED headlights.

On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic.

OOI, how does one judge that? eg, Dipped beam on the Meriva seems
quite low (even when set to the highest). They seem to light up the
road well enough but only up to a fairly close distance. Going over to
main beam lights up the distance as far as I need but of course can't
use them when others are coming towards me. This is more of an issue
on completely unlit roads, especially NSL stuff (animals / debris in
the road especially).

Now, if I was to increase the light output of dipped mean I'm not sure
it would help as I believe it's more to do with the dipped-beam cutoff
than brightness.

<snip>

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I don't care what and how bright main beams are because I should never
be looking into them. I do care about the *brightness* (irrespective
of how well they are adjusted as you still get swept by them on
corners and when waiting at roundabouts etc) and the original wattage
used to manage the brightness should really have been replaced by
lumens (or some other measure of actual light / brightness) as soon as
other types of light source were available (as it was an accident
waiting to happen).

As mentioned previously, we have all got a pain threshold for all
sorts of things, be it heat, cold, sound, G or light and for me, that
seems to often be pushed to it's limits more often with car headlights
than anything else (well, some LED brake lights at night at traffic
lights might come close, if they are on the back of an SUV and so
right at my eye line. Even lorry rear light clusters are lower and
rarely have central brake lights).

So, for the largest proportion of my driving life I only 'suffered'
from 'Yobbo' headlights with over powerful (illegal) lamps or those
that were mal-adjusted / damaged (but even those didn't burn the back
of your eye out). Today I'm regularly hit by what I can only describe
as 'blinding' levels of (head)light, *nothing* like the colour
temperature, source density or focus of the old incandescent lamps.

So, whilst they might be good for the driver (as a searchlight might
be for the aimer on an AckAck gun <g>) I question their overall safety
in the same way as I do headlight integrated indicators (yellow lamps
behind clear lenses that you can only 'see' in daylight when actually
staring at them). ;-(

It seems the designers have focused too hard on making the interior
experience of cars like a lounge and forgotten they are dangerous
projectiles, especially when pointing towards temporarily blinded
drivers (motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) at night.

Not saying your lights are like that of course. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 11:22:24 UTC

Post by T i m
On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic.

OOI, how does one judge that? eg, Dipped beam on the Meriva seems
quite low (even when set to the highest). They seem to light up the
road well enough but only up to a fairly close distance. Going over to
main beam lights up the distance as far as I need but of course can't
use them when others are coming towards me. This is more of an issue
on completely unlit roads, especially NSL stuff (animals / debris in
the road especially).
Now, if I was to increase the light output of dipped mean I'm not sure
it would help as I believe it's more to do with the dipped-beam cutoff
than brightness.
<snip>

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I don't care what and how bright main beams are because I should never
be looking into them. I do care about the *brightness* (irrespective
of how well they are adjusted as you still get swept by them on
corners and when waiting at roundabouts etc) and the original wattage
used to manage the brightness should really have been replaced by
lumens (or some other measure of actual light / brightness) as soon as
other types of light source were available (as it was an accident
waiting to happen).
As mentioned previously, we have all got a pain threshold for all
sorts of things, be it heat, cold, sound, G or light and for me, that
seems to often be pushed to it's limits more often with car headlights
than anything else (well, some LED brake lights at night at traffic
lights might come close, if they are on the back of an SUV and so
right at my eye line. Even lorry rear light clusters are lower and
rarely have central brake lights).
So, for the largest proportion of my driving life I only 'suffered'
from 'Yobbo' headlights with over powerful (illegal) lamps or those
that were mal-adjusted / damaged (but even those didn't burn the back
of your eye out). Today I'm regularly hit by what I can only describe
as 'blinding' levels of (head)light, *nothing* like the colour
temperature, source density or focus of the old incandescent lamps.
So, whilst they might be good for the driver (as a searchlight might
be for the aimer on an AckAck gun <g>) I question their overall safety
in the same way as I do headlight integrated indicators (yellow lamps
behind clear lenses that you can only 'see' in daylight when actually
staring at them). ;-(
It seems the designers have focused too hard on making the interior
experience of cars like a lounge and forgotten they are dangerous
projectiles, especially when pointing towards temporarily blinded
drivers (motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) at night.
Not saying your lights are like that of course. ;-)
Cheers, T i m

you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones, and LED street lights are crap compared to yellow sodium.

Fredxx

2019-11-15 13:15:34 UTC

Post by T i m
On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic.

OOI, how does one judge that? eg, Dipped beam on the Meriva seems
quite low (even when set to the highest). They seem to light up the
road well enough but only up to a fairly close distance. Going over to
main beam lights up the distance as far as I need but of course can't
use them when others are coming towards me. This is more of an issue
on completely unlit roads, especially NSL stuff (animals / debris in
the road especially).
Now, if I was to increase the light output of dipped mean I'm not sure
it would help as I believe it's more to do with the dipped-beam cutoff
than brightness.
<snip>

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I don't care what and how bright main beams are because I should never
be looking into them. I do care about the *brightness* (irrespective
of how well they are adjusted as you still get swept by them on
corners and when waiting at roundabouts etc) and the original wattage
used to manage the brightness should really have been replaced by
lumens (or some other measure of actual light / brightness) as soon as
other types of light source were available (as it was an accident
waiting to happen).
As mentioned previously, we have all got a pain threshold for all
sorts of things, be it heat, cold, sound, G or light and for me, that
seems to often be pushed to it's limits more often with car headlights
than anything else (well, some LED brake lights at night at traffic
lights might come close, if they are on the back of an SUV and so
right at my eye line. Even lorry rear light clusters are lower and
rarely have central brake lights).
So, for the largest proportion of my driving life I only 'suffered'
from 'Yobbo' headlights with over powerful (illegal) lamps or those
that were mal-adjusted / damaged (but even those didn't burn the back
of your eye out). Today I'm regularly hit by what I can only describe
as 'blinding' levels of (head)light, *nothing* like the colour
temperature, source density or focus of the old incandescent lamps.
So, whilst they might be good for the driver (as a searchlight might
be for the aimer on an AckAck gun <g>) I question their overall safety
in the same way as I do headlight integrated indicators (yellow lamps
behind clear lenses that you can only 'see' in daylight when actually
staring at them). ;-(
It seems the designers have focused too hard on making the interior
experience of cars like a lounge and forgotten they are dangerous
projectiles, especially when pointing towards temporarily blinded
drivers (motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) at night.
Not saying your lights are like that of course. ;-)
Cheers, T i m

you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones, and LED street lights are crap compared to yellow sodium.

I wear amber clip-ons on my glasses. It cuts out the blue and creates a
level playing field for my quartz halogen.

Have a look at eBay.

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 13:20:43 UTC

Post by Fredxx

Post by T i m
On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic.

OOI, how does one judge that? eg, Dipped beam on the Meriva seems
quite low (even when set to the highest). They seem to light up the
road well enough but only up to a fairly close distance. Going over to
main beam lights up the distance as far as I need but of course can't
use them when others are coming towards me. This is more of an issue
on completely unlit roads, especially NSL stuff (animals / debris in
the road especially).
Now, if I was to increase the light output of dipped mean I'm not sure
it would help as I believe it's more to do with the dipped-beam cutoff
than brightness.
<snip>

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I don't care what and how bright main beams are because I should never
be looking into them. I do care about the *brightness* (irrespective
of how well they are adjusted as you still get swept by them on
corners and when waiting at roundabouts etc) and the original wattage
used to manage the brightness should really have been replaced by
lumens (or some other measure of actual light / brightness) as soon as
other types of light source were available (as it was an accident
waiting to happen).
As mentioned previously, we have all got a pain threshold for all
sorts of things, be it heat, cold, sound, G or light and for me, that
seems to often be pushed to it's limits more often with car headlights
than anything else (well, some LED brake lights at night at traffic
lights might come close, if they are on the back of an SUV and so
right at my eye line. Even lorry rear light clusters are lower and
rarely have central brake lights).
So, for the largest proportion of my driving life I only 'suffered'
from 'Yobbo' headlights with over powerful (illegal) lamps or those
that were mal-adjusted / damaged (but even those didn't burn the back
of your eye out). Today I'm regularly hit by what I can only describe
as 'blinding' levels of (head)light, *nothing* like the colour
temperature, source density or focus of the old incandescent lamps.
So, whilst they might be good for the driver (as a searchlight might
be for the aimer on an AckAck gun <g>) I question their overall safety
in the same way as I do headlight integrated indicators (yellow lamps
behind clear lenses that you can only 'see' in daylight when actually
staring at them). ;-(
It seems the designers have focused too hard on making the interior
experience of cars like a lounge and forgotten they are dangerous
projectiles, especially when pointing towards temporarily blinded
drivers (motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) at night.
Not saying your lights are like that of course. ;-)
Cheers, T i m

you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights,
especially retro-fitted ones, and LED street lights are crap compared
to yellow sodium.

I wear amber clip-ons on my glasses. It cuts out the blue and creates a
level playing field for my quartz halogen.
Have a look at eBay.

I have got some amber driving glasses, somewhere !! I will give them a go.

Fredxx

2019-11-15 21:43:34 UTC

Post by Fredxx

Post by T i m
On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic.

OOI, how does one judge that? eg, Dipped beam on the Meriva seems
quite low (even when set to the highest). They seem to light up the
road well enough but only up to a fairly close distance. Going over to
main beam lights up the distance as far as I need but of course can't
use them when others are coming towards me. This is more of an issue
on completely unlit roads, especially NSL stuff (animals / debris in
the road especially).
Now, if I was to increase the light output of dipped mean I'm not sure
it would help as I believe it's more to do with the dipped-beam cutoff
than brightness.
<snip>

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I don't care what and how bright main beams are because I should never
be looking into them. I do care about the *brightness* (irrespective
of how well they are adjusted as you still get swept by them on
corners and when waiting at roundabouts etc) and the original wattage
used to manage the brightness should really have been replaced by
lumens (or some other measure of actual light / brightness) as soon as
other types of light source were available (as it was an accident
waiting to happen).
As mentioned previously, we have all got a pain threshold for all
sorts of things, be it heat, cold, sound, G or light and for me, that
seems to often be pushed to it's limits more often with car headlights
than anything else (well, some LED brake lights at night at traffic
lights might come close, if they are on the back of an SUV and so
right at my eye line. Even lorry rear light clusters are lower and
rarely have central brake lights).
So, for the largest proportion of my driving life I only 'suffered'
from 'Yobbo' headlights with over powerful (illegal) lamps or those
that were mal-adjusted / damaged (but even those didn't burn the back
of your eye out). Today I'm regularly hit by what I can only describe
as 'blinding' levels of (head)light, *nothing* like the colour
temperature, source density or focus of the old incandescent lamps.
So, whilst they might be good for the driver (as a searchlight might
be for the aimer on an AckAck gun <g>) I question their overall safety
in the same way as I do headlight integrated indicators (yellow lamps
behind clear lenses that you can only 'see' in daylight when actually
staring at them). ;-(
It seems the designers have focused too hard on making the interior
experience of cars like a lounge and forgotten they are dangerous
projectiles, especially when pointing towards temporarily blinded
drivers (motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians) at night.
Not saying your lights are like that of course. ;-)
Cheers, T i m

you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights,
especially retro-fitted ones, and LED street lights are crap compared
to yellow sodium.

I wear amber clip-ons on my glasses. It cuts out the blue and creates
a level playing field for my quartz halogen.
Have a look at eBay.

I have got some amber driving glasses, somewhere !! I will give them a go.

I like the clip-ons because I can let them down into view as and when
appropriate. They do also cut out some usable light too so best in urban
or lit situations.

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 22:30:11 UTC

On 15/11/2019 21:43, Fredxx wrot

Post by Fredxx
I like the clip-ons because I can let them down into view as and when
appropriate. They do also cut out some usable light too so best in urban
or lit situations.

lit is 99 per cent of my driving

Dave Plowman (News)

2019-11-15 13:28:50 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to have
poor beam control too - despite the regulations.

So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

--
*Certain frogs can be frozen solid, then thawed, and survive *

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 15:41:57 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to have
poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

I would not, I would be too disappointed in myself to think that my
lights were hurting other people's eyes.

I find my own plain ordinary halogen lights are adequate for the driving
conditions I travel in.

Dave Plowman (News)

2019-11-15 16:30:24 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to
have poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

I would not, I would be too disappointed in myself to think that my
lights were hurting other people's eyes.

The lights on my car are projector types. With a very sharp cut off to the
centre and right, with a longer throw to the left. They don't hurt other's
eyes. But badly designed or adjusted plain halogens are perfectly capable
of doing that. Like main beam.

Post by MrCheerful
I find my own plain ordinary halogen lights are adequate for the driving
conditions I travel in.

You would seem to be in a minority. ;-)

--
*What do little birdies see when they get knocked unconscious? *

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 17:46:12 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to
have poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

I would not, I would be too disappointed in myself to think that my
lights were hurting other people's eyes.

Post by MrCheerful
I find my own plain ordinary halogen lights are adequate for the driving
conditions I travel in.

You would seem to be in a minority. ;-)

I think it is more of a trend, one maker does it so they all copy, the
worst offenders on the road being the also rans that can't afford the
later cars and so upgrade their own original headlights with poor
consequences, the worst example I saw recently was a golf with some form
of hid bulbs (at a guess) they were completely wrong for the headlamp
and just gave a complete wall of light with no cut off at all.

Dave Plowman (News)

2019-11-17 12:01:20 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
I think it is more of a trend, one maker does it so they all copy, the
worst offenders on the road being the also rans that can't afford the
later cars and so upgrade their own original headlights with poor
consequences, the worst example I saw recently was a golf with some form
of hid bulbs (at a guess) they were completely wrong for the headlamp
and just gave a complete wall of light with no cut off at all.

I'm sure there will be plenty who don't care. But I do. And bought from a
supplier who sells individual kits for your car. And don't list ones for
unsuitable headlights.

--
*Modulation in all things *

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Brian Reay

2019-11-15 16:07:23 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to have
poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

The problem is manufacturers try to meet both UK and EU requirements- ie
avoid the problems caused by our dipping to the left. As I understand it,
rather than the ‘old’ dip left requirement the current requirement is more
lax and you can have a ‘flat top’ centre dip. This also satisfies the
requirements in the rest of the EU.

DJC

2019-11-15 20:05:00 UTC

Post by Brian Reay
The problem is manufacturers try to meet both UK and EU requirements- ie
avoid the problems caused by our dipping to the left. As I understand it,
rather than the ‘old’ dip left requirement the current requirement is more
lax and you can have a ‘flat top’ centre dip. This also satisfies the
requirements in the rest of the EU.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-mot-headlamp-aim-test-is-changing/

--
djc

(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)
No low-hanging fruit, just a lot of small berries up a tall tree.

T i m

2019-11-15 22:08:47 UTC

Post by DJC

Post by Brian Reay
The problem is manufacturers try to meet both UK and EU requirements- ie
avoid the problems caused by our dipping to the left. As I understand it,
rather than the old dip left requirement the current requirement is more
lax and you can have a flat top centre dip. This also satisfies the
requirements in the rest of the EU.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made
https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-mot-headlamp-aim-test-is-changing/

Interesting, thanks.

The 'problem' though is that it doesn't (can't) cater for being swept
(say whilst waiting to enter a roundabout, where you might be swept by
many) by correctly aligned dipped beam headlamps that are still (in
the eyes of most observers) to be 'painfully bright'.

I think we really need more up-to-date legislation (assuming there
isn't any) than controls the actual *brightness* (not even the
apparent brightness) and colour temperature etc.

There must be some correlation around the range of colour temperatures
that we can use to good effect but are less likely to cause
unnecessary dazzle, along with how fine the source of light might be
(that could impact how it affects our eyes, light density etc).

I mean, we have gone in the right direction with vehicle occupant
safety and even pedestrian safety (concealed wipers, wide / soft
impact zones etc) but gone the wrong way with many elements of the
lighting (headlights, indicators and even brake lights that come on
automatically with the automatic parking brake). ;-(

Lighting seems to have gone 'Form over function', in contrast with
most other things.

Cheers, T i m

MrCheerful

2019-11-15 22:36:27 UTC

Post by T i m

Post by DJC

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made
https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-mot-headlamp-aim-test-is-changing/

Interesting, thanks.
The 'problem' though is that it doesn't (can't) cater for being swept
(say whilst waiting to enter a roundabout, where you might be swept by
many) by correctly aligned dipped beam headlamps that are still (in
the eyes of most observers) to be 'painfully bright'.
I think we really need more up-to-date legislation (assuming there
isn't any) than controls the actual *brightness* (not even the
apparent brightness) and colour temperature etc.
There must be some correlation around the range of colour temperatures
that we can use to good effect but are less likely to cause
unnecessary dazzle, along with how fine the source of light might be
(that could impact how it affects our eyes, light density etc).
I mean, we have gone in the right direction with vehicle occupant
safety and even pedestrian safety (concealed wipers, wide / soft
impact zones etc) but gone the wrong way with many elements of the
lighting (headlights, indicators and even brake lights that come on
automatically with the automatic parking brake). ;-(
Lighting seems to have gone 'Form over function', in contrast with
most other things.
Cheers, T i m

There is a zebra crossing very near me that with the terrible misplaced
led street lighting and glare from lights all over the place has made it
very nearly impossible to see pedestrians either waiting or even when on
the crossing, I know about it and know to take it really easy on
approach, but it is likely someone will be run down due to the poor
visibility. I have reported it but nothing has been done in the two
years since.

Fredxx

2019-11-16 03:12:25 UTC

Post by T i m

Post by Brian Reay
The problem is manufacturers try to meet both UK and EU
requirements- ie
avoid the problems caused by our dipping to the left. As I
understand it,
rather than the ‘old’ dip left requirement the current requirement is more
lax and you can have a ‘flat top’ centre dip. This also satisfies the
requirements in the rest of the EU.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made
https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/the-mot-headlamp-aim-test-is-changing/

Interesting, thanks.
The 'problem' though is that it doesn't (can't) cater for being swept
(say whilst waiting to enter a roundabout, where you might be swept by
many) by correctly aligned dipped beam headlamps that are still (in
the eyes of most observers) to be 'painfully bright'.
I think we really need more up-to-date legislation (assuming there
isn't any) than controls the actual *brightness* (not even the
apparent brightness) and colour temperature etc.
There must be some correlation around the range of colour temperatures
that we can use to good effect but are less likely to cause
unnecessary dazzle, along with how fine the source of light might be
(that could impact how it affects our eyes, light density etc).
I mean, we have gone in the right direction with vehicle occupant
safety and even pedestrian safety (concealed wipers, wide / soft
impact zones etc) but gone the wrong way with many elements of the
lighting (headlights, indicators and even brake lights that come on
automatically with the automatic parking brake). ;-(
Lighting seems to have gone 'Form over function', in contrast with
most other things.
Cheers, T i m

Check here to see if there has been any injuries at your zebra crossing:
https://www.crashmap.co.uk/Search

MrCheerful

2019-11-16 08:53:28 UTC

Post by Brian Reay
The problem is manufacturers try to meet both UK and EU
requirements- ie
avoid the problems caused by our dipping to the left. As I
understand it,
rather than the ‘old’ dip left requirement the current requirement is more
lax and you can have a ‘flat top’ centre dip. This also satisfies the
requirements in the rest of the EU.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made

There is a zebra crossing very near me that with the terrible
misplaced led street lighting and glare from lights all over the place
has made it very nearly impossible to see pedestrians either waiting
or even when on the crossing, I know about it and know to take it
really easy on approach, but it is likely someone will be run down due
to the poor visibility. I have reported it but nothing has been done
in the two years since.

https://www.crashmap.co.uk/Search

Thank you for that, apparently only one slight injury some years ago,
remarkable, because of that nothing will be done to improve it.

T i m

2019-11-16 11:40:51 UTC

On Fri, 15 Nov 2019 22:36:27 +0000, MrCheerful
<***@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

<snip>

Post by MrCheerful
There is a zebra crossing very near me that with the terrible misplaced
led street lighting and glare from lights all over the place has made it
very nearly impossible to see pedestrians either waiting or even when on
the crossing,

I'm not aware of a crossing round here with such but there are many
instances of LED streetlights both creating very localised and
clinical 'light' that seem to make anything outside of the lit area
even more difficult to see and some that aren't set facing straight
down (or have moved / been hit by vehicles etc) that appear like
equally maladjusted home spotlights.

Post by MrCheerful
.. I know about it and know to take it really easy on
approach, but it is likely someone will be run down due to the poor
visibility.

Something we do seem to have a few examples of round here are mini
roundabouts where the street furniture tends to obscure oncoming car
indicators (like they needed help) until they are turning right in
front of you. Oh, you can 'err on the side of caution' and approach
every roundabout as if cars *will* be turning in front of you but that
doesn't help the free flow of traffic or pollution.

Post by MrCheerful
I have reported it but nothing has been done in the two
years since.

We get HGV's down here in spite of a restriction of under 5 Tonnes
between 7pm and 7am, along with 'No access to ...' signs but in spite
of the drivers not seeing them, the Highways Department believe the
sings are 'adequate'?

Ok, some of it is because drivers are following their GPS's rather
that actually looking around them but I believe they have trialed a
sign showing a Satellite crossed out that has actually helped with
such things.

I might get such a(n offical looking) sign made, fit it myself and see
how long it stays there? Given they (apparently) don't have the funds
to make any adjustment to the existing, or add any extra signs, that
should be interesting. ;-)

Do we think they also restrict sight lines approaching junctions /
roundabouts to force drivers to *have to* slow down when approaching?
There are several round here that have been allowed to become
overgrown where I have seen many instances of drivers having to stop
quickly (or accelerate away hard) when they have found someone already
on the roundabout?

Again, none of that seems to actually improve road safely or reduce
pollution?

Cheers, T i m

Nick Finnigan

2019-11-16 15:40:06 UTC

Post by T i m
Do we think they also restrict sight lines approaching junctions /
roundabouts to force drivers to *have to* slow down when approaching?

Coming off the M50 onto the M5...

T i m

2019-11-16 15:45:23 UTC

Post by Nick Finnigan

Post by T i m
Do we think they also restrict sight lines approaching junctions /
roundabouts to force drivers to *have to* slow down when approaching?

Coming off the M50 onto the M5...

Not my neck of the woods (Norf Lundin ere) so is it a 'good idea' that
they do such would you say Nick (from a road safety POV)?

Cheers, T i m

Nick Finnigan

2019-11-25 16:57:48 UTC

Post by T i m

Post by Nick Finnigan

Post by T i m
Do we think they also restrict sight lines approaching junctions /
roundabouts to force drivers to *have to* slow down when approaching?

Coming off the M50 onto the M5...

Not my neck of the woods (Norf Lundin ere) so is it a 'good idea' that
they do such would you say Nick (from a road safety POV)?

You are closer than me, I just noticed it on a journey there. So I've no
idea whether it helps other drivers.

critcher

2019-12-04 14:12:10 UTC

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to have
poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

and what about cars parked facing the wrong way on an incline with their
headlights still lit, there's a pain in the arse for you.

Dave Plowman (News)

2019-12-04 14:58:28 UTC

Post by critcher

Post by MrCheerful
you said it all, like you, I am pissed off by led/hid lights, especially
retro-fitted ones,

But sadly, a fact of life on most modern cars. Many of which seem to have
poor beam control too - despite the regulations.
So if you can't beat them you might as well join them.

and what about cars parked facing the wrong way on an incline with their
headlights still lit, there's a pain in the arse for you.

Quite. It's what happens when the lights dip to the nearside. A polite
driver would switch them off. Fat chance.

--
*I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable.

Dave Plowman ***@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Kellerman

2019-12-01 20:24:33 UTC

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The original 55w halogen dips on my car were pathetic. It has projector
lights (the type with a bulls eye in front of the bulb) so more tolerant
of bulb types than plain reflectors.
So somewhere over a year ago, I fitted an HID conversion set from HIDS4U.
Excellent beam pattern when viewed on a white wall with near zero scatter
and the sharp cut off typical of projector units. (You can normally change
these from RHD to LHD by simply moving the french flag that provides the
cut off) Kit included a Canbus fooling device, so no warning lights.
Ignored the rather odd regs covering vehicle lighting which seemed to have
been written by a mad scientist on speed.
It passed the MOT so equipped.
One thing spoiled the HIDs. The wire running to the top of the bulb cast a
shadow. So two black lines running away from the car, when looking at the
beam on the road.
LEDs have improved recently, so fitted the latest Philips X-treme Ultinon
Gen2. Nothing like as bright at the HID, but no annoying black line, and
just as good a beam pattern. Passed the MOT today too.
About 50% more than the HID, though, and not sure how long something with
a cooling fan will last.
Think the ideal may be HID for dip and LED for main beam.

I had that shadow on an old x-reg Vectra CDX. The HID lamp was fitted
upside-down.
Took out the bulb fitted it with the wire pointing the other way (up or
down cant remember now) -- shadow disappeared.

--
Blow my nose to email me

Dave Plowman (News)

2019-12-02 14:44:04 UTC